Accountant, Design-Build

ACCOUNTANT, DESIGN-BUILD

Why Merus?

Merus brings more than 130 years of commercial real estate experience to the construction, development, ownership, and management of a diverse portfolio of assets across a growing footprint in the eastern U.S.

We’re all owners here. That shared ownership shapes how we work, make decisions, and support one another. Every team member is expected to take responsibility, follow through, and contribute to the success of our projects, partners, and company.

We were named a Deloitte U.S. Best Managed Company, recognizing how private companies are run across strategy, execution, culture, and financial discipline. That same standard shows up in how teams are supported, decisions are made, and the business continues to scale.

Learn more about our culture at www.merus1894.com.

Summary of Responsibilities

Merus is expanding its finance and accounting team with a new Accountant role. In this position, you will play a key role in collaborating with our Design-Build construction teams as well as Finance & Accounting leadership across our markets to drive the completeness and accuracy of the financial controls and reporting associated with our product lines. The ideal candidate will be an ambitious individual who is a self-starter with a strong sense of urgency. You will work in a fast-paced environment and have the ability to drive results. So, if you like to dig into the details and make big impacts, keep reading.

Essential Job Functions

Accounting & Financial Reporting

• Perform financial analysis to identify trends, variances, and areas for improvement in project and company financial performance.
• Attend project-specific Design-Build monthly reviews with project teams, including project managers and directors.
• Analyze insurance, technology, and warranty costs and provide recommendations on billing costs appropriately.
• Proactively elevate project concerns or risks to project margins to management.
• Generate financial reporting metrics on jobs for inclusion in the monthly financial reporting package.
• Present financial data and analysis to project stakeholders and management, highlighting key performance indicators and financial metrics.
• Provide support to external auditors during the annual financial statement audit.
• Support system implementations, testing, and process improvements to enhance accounting accuracy and efficiency.

Contract Management

• Ensure estimates have been prepared, substantiated with bids, and reviewed by the appropriate levels of management prior to entering into owner contracts.
• Review subcontractor contracts to confirm bidding processes were followed and final costs are in line with the budget.
• Coordinate subcontractor prequalification through Highwire, including documentation review and follow-up on outstanding requirements.

Project Financial Management

• Coordinate project setup and closeout across accounting and project management systems, ensuring accurate and complete financial records.
• Track and analyze project costs, ensuring accuracy and completeness in financial records.
• Collaborate with project managers to monitor, understand the causes of, and report on budget variances to Design-Build and Finance & Accounting leadership.
• Identify cost-saving opportunities and address budget overruns or financial risks.
• Assess financial risks associated with projects.
• Process employee timecards and allocate payroll-related labor costs to projects, ensuring accurate and timely job costing.
• Review job cost activity monthly, ensuring consistent and proper coding of subcontractor and internal costs.
• Monitor job over/underbilling and accounts receivable and accounts payable, ensuring timely billing and reporting on collection risks.
• Monitor job buyout status against contracts.

Billing and Invoicing

• Ensure subcontractor invoices are submitted on time and work with subcontractors and project managers to ensure the accuracy and proper coding of subcontractor invoices.
• Lead effective communication with vendors and subcontractors to resolve any invoicing discrepancies.
• Prepare monthly owners’ invoices.
• Address subcontractor and owner inquiries related to project billing and invoicing.

Essential Competencies

• Nimble Learning - Actively learning through experimentation when tackling new problems, using both successes and failures as learning fodder.
• Action Oriented - Taking on new opportunities and tough challenges with a sense of urgency, high energy, and enthusiasm.
• Demonstrates Self-Awareness - Using a combination of feedback and reflection to gain productive insight into personal strengths and weaknesses.
• Self-Development - Actively seeking new ways to grow and be challenged using both formal and informal development channels.
• Instills Trust - Gaining the confidence and trust of others through honesty, integrity, and authenticity.
• Customer Focus - Building strong customer relationships and delivering customer-centric solutions.

Position Requirements

• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively and to work cooperatively and collaboratively with individuals of diverse backgrounds and at all organizational levels.
• Ability to organize, prioritize, and manage multiple priorities while being detail-oriented.
• Ability to manage change and adapt to changing processes and procedures.
• Demonstrated initiative to continue to learn and broaden accounting and industry knowledge.
• Proficiency in using technology to improve process and task efficiency.

Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree required in Accounting, Finance, or a related field.
• At least one year of accounting experience.
• Excellent analytical skills with the ability to interpret complex financial data and generate meaningful insights.
• Proficiency in the Microsoft Office suite, with strong Excel skills required.
• Understanding of U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (U.S. GAAP).

Safety Hazard of the Job

Normal safety hazards associated with office work, and with occasional observational visits to construction sites.

Physical Demands

Low physical effort required to sit, stand at files, bend, stoop, lift, and walk. Maximum unassisted lift is 35 lbs. Average lift is less than 10 lbs. Requires ability to use a keyboard and monitor. Also requires the ability to communicate verbally, both in person and on the telephone. May require some travel by car.

Environmental Requirements

Average inside office environment. Average office noise levels. No personal protective equipment is required. Ambient temperature is between 68F and 76F.

This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. The employee will also perform other reasonably related business duties as assigned by their immediate supervisor and other management as required. This job description is not a contract or offer for employment, and either you or Merus may terminate employment at any time for any reason.